A long, loooong time ago...
China's first known poet, Qu Yuan served also as Minister of Law and Ordinance for his home state of Chu in southern China. He lived during the Warring States period (481 - 221 B.C.). Qin, a large state in the north, was determined to control the state of Chu. Qin leaders gave the King of Chu a peace treaty to sign, which they had no intention of honoring. Suspicious of their motives, Qu Yuan advised the king not to sign the treaty. Unfortunately, the king was threatened by Qu Yuan's stature, believing the poet was trying to gain greater political power in the government. Not only did he sign the treaty, but he banished Qu Yuan to a remote region in Hunan province. Eventually, Chu was defeated by the stronger Qin state.
It is thought that the news of Chu's defeat destroyed Qu Yuan's will to live. As a result, on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in 278 B.C., he committed suicide by grasping a large rock and throwing himself into the Miluo River.
Local fisherman raced to their boats to recover his body, beating drums and splashing their paddles on the water to scare away the fish. But it was all to no avail. In one version of the legend, they began throwing rice on the water. The rice packets were meant for the fish, in an effort to keep them from devouring Qu Yuan's body.
The death of Qu Yuan gave rise to both the dragon boat races and celebrating the day with zongzi - delicious dumplings made with glutinous rice that are stuffed in bamboo leaves.
Source: http://chinesefood.about.com/od/foodfestivals/a/dragonboat.htm
The Hong Kong Dragonboat Races are held each year. Below is Stanley beach, where teams (from Corporations or other groups) of people join for longboat races in the hot, humid weather.
Below is what the head of the boat looks like (guess). Hence, the name "Dragonboat".
China's first known poet, Qu Yuan served also as Minister of Law and Ordinance for his home state of Chu in southern China. He lived during the Warring States period (481 - 221 B.C.). Qin, a large state in the north, was determined to control the state of Chu. Qin leaders gave the King of Chu a peace treaty to sign, which they had no intention of honoring. Suspicious of their motives, Qu Yuan advised the king not to sign the treaty. Unfortunately, the king was threatened by Qu Yuan's stature, believing the poet was trying to gain greater political power in the government. Not only did he sign the treaty, but he banished Qu Yuan to a remote region in Hunan province. Eventually, Chu was defeated by the stronger Qin state.
It is thought that the news of Chu's defeat destroyed Qu Yuan's will to live. As a result, on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in 278 B.C., he committed suicide by grasping a large rock and throwing himself into the Miluo River.
Local fisherman raced to their boats to recover his body, beating drums and splashing their paddles on the water to scare away the fish. But it was all to no avail. In one version of the legend, they began throwing rice on the water. The rice packets were meant for the fish, in an effort to keep them from devouring Qu Yuan's body.
The death of Qu Yuan gave rise to both the dragon boat races and celebrating the day with zongzi - delicious dumplings made with glutinous rice that are stuffed in bamboo leaves.
Source: http://chinesefood.about.com/od/foodfestivals/a/dragonboat.htm
The Hong Kong Dragonboat Races are held each year. Below is Stanley beach, where teams (from Corporations or other groups) of people join for longboat races in the hot, humid weather.
Below is what the head of the boat looks like (guess). Hence, the name "Dragonboat".
